tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20758625736841267652024-03-14T08:18:15.261-04:00Brian James Diary of A New York City BrokerDiary of a New York City real estate broker is about iteresting New York city neighborhood news and information to help understand the United States largest real estate market and how it effects the economy & NY real estate market. Tips for sellers and buyers. Property database and informative market research available for download. PLEASE VISIT THE NEW SITE AT WWW.DIARYOFABROKER.COMTestimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-1654977027787708432011-02-23T08:31:00.002-05:002011-02-23T08:34:41.173-05:00Obama Budget Seeks Cap on Itemized Deductions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.brianjamesnyc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/obama1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.brianjamesnyc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/obama1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:enableopentypekerning/> <w:dontflipmirrorindents/> <w:overridetablestylehps/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--><span class="articletitle1"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;"></span></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;color:black;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:black;" ></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />President Obama is targeting the tax deduction for mortgage interest payments and charitable contributions made among high-income earners.<br /><br />The proposed budget cuts call for taxpayers in the 33 percent and 35 percent tax brackets to be limited in deducting charitable contributions and mortgage interest payments at the 28 percent rate. The deduction would affect households with taxable income of $250,000 or more. The White House says the move would bring in $321 billion within 10 years.<br /><br />"NAR will remain vigilant in opposing any plan that modifies or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest," National Association of REALTORS® President Ron Phipps has said in opposing any MID cuts.<br /><br />Other real estate industry and nonprofit sectors are also joining in the resistance, arguing that capping the deduction will hurt an already battered housing market even more.<br /><br />"This is an attack on the middle class," says Jerry Howard, chief executive of the National Association of Home Builders.<br /><br />At a time when charities continue to struggle with a drop in donations, limiting the charitable deduction will likely cut large donations for the arts, environment, education and other sectors even more, says Tim Delaney, head of the National Council of Nonprofits, a network of charities.<br /><br />In the past, the Obama administration and several tax deficit commissions have unsuccessfully called for limiting or eliminating MID. MID costs the Treasury Department an estimated $131 billion a year. <span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:black;" ></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;color:black;" > </span>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-65572097341381405492008-05-18T18:30:00.004-04:002008-05-18T18:55:00.598-04:00Brian James Diary Of A New York City Real Estate Broker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6oN7Ka99R-u14_DyNdRF7WZce-EsCRnTV-PXTaV7bNPGNHd8ZJmT28SVW7KYKsxButloneXWv87F28MLJV4g4Q1yiL_mSyL1EqZj3fVXN-UaW_DpYbNMWv08nrUZhjCLjIMUJTOdj2s/s1600-h/DiaryOfABroker.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6oN7Ka99R-u14_DyNdRF7WZce-EsCRnTV-PXTaV7bNPGNHd8ZJmT28SVW7KYKsxButloneXWv87F28MLJV4g4Q1yiL_mSyL1EqZj3fVXN-UaW_DpYbNMWv08nrUZhjCLjIMUJTOdj2s/s400/DiaryOfABroker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201849046377030178" /></a>Please visit the New blog <a href="http://www.diaryofabroker.com/">DIARY OF A BROKER</a> of New York Real Estate Broker <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.brianjamesnyc.com/">Brian James</a></span>. <div><br /></div><div>Diary Of A Broker is about interesting New York City neighborhood news and information to help understand the United States largest real estate market (NEW YORK) and how it effects the economy. You can also find tips for real estate sellers and buyers. The new blog and website also offers free listing service for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">For Sale By Owner</span> (FBO) listers in Manhattan.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-40056675954367503522008-05-18T16:40:00.007-04:002008-05-18T19:01:24.841-04:00Real Estate Survival Guide: New York Edition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4iRuG8rhvmnxYvf7crc18zd6pGgqMIaZNRY-vMBtl0Vs5TWsmW_wk9002rgFB-lQ-Z92f4DZNu_t6ItVRwVficrpjmOiz3bLrrtYmnqIlApVZFoAP8TZrleuMtJWNzkOk11BbOs2JYA/s1600-h/real_estate_survival_guide_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4iRuG8rhvmnxYvf7crc18zd6pGgqMIaZNRY-vMBtl0Vs5TWsmW_wk9002rgFB-lQ-Z92f4DZNu_t6ItVRwVficrpjmOiz3bLrrtYmnqIlApVZFoAP8TZrleuMtJWNzkOk11BbOs2JYA/s400/real_estate_survival_guide_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201851584702702130" /></a>Now taking pre-orders on FREE downloadable version of the REAL ESTATE SURVIVAL GUIDE, New York City edition.<div><br /></div><div>If your interested please send your <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">email address</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">first</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">last name</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Zip Code</span> to the email address below. ** <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Because of the high demand for the download only emails WITH first, last name, email address and zip code will be added to the Opt-In download directory list.</span> **</div><div><br /></div><div>By clicking on this <a href="mailto:realestatesurvivalguide@brianjamesnyc.com">ORDER LINK</a>, your computers default mail application will open and send the request via your mail application. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please make sure you provide all the information requested. A more elegant request solution will be implemented when the official release happens on May 25th, 2008</div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-32843169366191033182008-05-01T10:35:00.002-04:002008-05-18T18:59:05.012-04:00New Homepage Of Brian James<a href="http://www.brianjamesnyc.com/blog/">http://www.brianjamesnyc.com/blog/</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsQx5SRE2hAa5DT6kyBeCM9Faz09DQOySUZU8m_aZTPrIBuhkh3wlfJxC0b7gPc0urMgdgNBsmKH95Jgjo-DgFDIdUy-fTLlrgrcRWqeJyd2RMZPNHRBzJqSSPBoZkDTUlf0Nx5O4KLU/s1600-h/Brian_James_New_York_Real_Eastate_Agent_Broker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195418495453466754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsQx5SRE2hAa5DT6kyBeCM9Faz09DQOySUZU8m_aZTPrIBuhkh3wlfJxC0b7gPc0urMgdgNBsmKH95Jgjo-DgFDIdUy-fTLlrgrcRWqeJyd2RMZPNHRBzJqSSPBoZkDTUlf0Nx5O4KLU/s400/Brian_James_New_York_Real_Eastate_Agent_Broker.jpg" border="0" /></a><div>Summer edition of my new landing page located at Brian James NYC dot com. Just the basic information, for more current relevant up to date info visit my new blog (<a href="http://www.diaryofabroker.com">Diary Of A Broker</a>)</div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-32402915259117781382008-04-22T22:47:00.001-04:002008-04-22T22:49:19.143-04:00Go Green Manhattan Style! Earth Day 2008<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0eSAZ5G5npvALZPeeppR9OHEaY4Ht0-w6nM2KQqjWSTLJvqq-DoARk_WrFv3caT7VA0qIXJzz-KrEA7ShYyXewZm6Za3gFVYzfpsXLP4F_Qmg-MGjIdB8se2P8E79Vmp3aoiIC7yYS8/s1600-h/timthumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192267308013162610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0eSAZ5G5npvALZPeeppR9OHEaY4Ht0-w6nM2KQqjWSTLJvqq-DoARk_WrFv3caT7VA0qIXJzz-KrEA7ShYyXewZm6Za3gFVYzfpsXLP4F_Qmg-MGjIdB8se2P8E79Vmp3aoiIC7yYS8/s320/timthumb.jpg" border="0" /></a>Earth Day should be every day, but today it is a time to remind us of how important our everyday actions affect the planet. With so many resources and information guides out there, one person can make a huge difference.<br /><br />Be it recycling, walking, mass transit, or taking you own mug to Starbucks, there are many easy tasks and small changes can really make you feel like you are contributing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/collection/recycling.shtml" mce_href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/collection/recycling.shtml">Recycling</a> everyday items alone can help protect our ozone layer, decrease pollution and decrease tree cuttings. Recycling is a start but using organic products such as food, cotton, baby products and wine are becoming readily available and economic to buy!.<br /><br />Another easy change is to use compact fluorescent bulbs. Not only will you save energy by at least 75 percent, they work just as well as regular light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.<br /><br />In Manhattan, this is not only a trend but becoming a way of life. There are so many sites available to help you stay green and turn your home into an eco-friendly environment. New construction like The <a href="http://www.the-riverhouse.com/index_flash.html" mce_href="http://www.the-riverhouse.com/index_flash.html">River House </a>or your current apartment can achieve these guides of green.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.greenhomenyc.org/" mce_href="http://www.greenhomenyc.org/">GreenHomeNYC</a> where their mantra is “we're working with building owners, builders, and suppliers of building products to promote the use of environmentally friendly, energy-conserving building practices and products in small buildings.”<br /><br />They also hold a Green Building Forum on the third Wednesday of each month where green building practitioners present new ideas and then a discussion follows the presentation. It is co-sponsored by Pratt Institute.<br /><br />Another cool city based organization is <a href="http://greenapplemap.org/page/gamindex" mce_href="http://greenapplemap.org/page/gamindex">Green Apple Map</a>. "In mid-2008, a new online interactive <a href="http://greenapplemap.org/page/power" mce_href="http://greenapplemap.org/page/power">OpenGreenMap </a>edition will feature NYC’s sites! Debuting a decade after our original online edition of the Green Apple Map, it will provide a forum for open submissions, commentary and green ratings, so everyone can help make this map a current resource for everyday sustainability, citywide and far beyond!" Definitely keep this in your bookmarks if going green is on your to do list!<br /><br />10 Great Green Products:<br />1. Hybrid Cars<br />2. Cork Flooring<br />3. Organic Food<br />4. Organic Fertilizer<br />5. Organic Cotton<br />6. Green Cleaning Products<br />7. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs<br />8. Bamboo Clothing<br />9. Organic Baby Products<br />10. Organic Wine<br /><br />Happy Earth Day! Let's all try to do our part!Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-71319019641984431072008-04-18T10:30:00.002-04:002008-04-18T10:33:52.688-04:00Mortgage Mess! Lot's of Us Might Be Losing Out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0ZfgcG0FQP1VPC6yH-cHqvg1neEIDzhjvpvlSMV6_rFX0PUop5z0yUDN_UMmLAMIGjMG7OheEUALrq-5RuNAREF9l5iOWFsAEzzfGsXtm2g_-X-owoZZqdjAfSxQOOKCKd8hKpuHNJ4/s1600-h/hair.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190593468263454642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0ZfgcG0FQP1VPC6yH-cHqvg1neEIDzhjvpvlSMV6_rFX0PUop5z0yUDN_UMmLAMIGjMG7OheEUALrq-5RuNAREF9l5iOWFsAEzzfGsXtm2g_-X-owoZZqdjAfSxQOOKCKd8hKpuHNJ4/s320/hair.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;">Three</span> months ago, one of my good friends attained an accepted offer on a co-op. It was a second purchase for him and he knew the ins and outs of the entire co-op process. I put him in touch with a few mortgage brokers and he went with one guy who really made sense, and informed him of some amazing products that were out there.<br />The Contract was signed in December and now after a long process, submitting the package and board approval we were set to close May 1. That was until yesterday.<br />Some big name banks and many other lenders the mortgage people work with on the wholesale side became very ugly in their rates.<br />After speaking with the buyer, the finance guy flipped the loan to smaller bank who has a great 7 year ARM @ 5.375% with a point.<br />Everything was great until they came back and said their guidelines require all 4+ story buildings to have an elevator. Ughhh! What a MESS! To make it worse the next best bank was @ 6.25% without points.<br />Long story short, The "Big Bank" or (retail) had better terms then their wholesale counterpart for the buyer's scenario.<br />So now the next step is re-submitting all the papers to the board hoping it is approved. So at this moment, The mortgage lost his sale, I may lose mine, and even more of an impact the buyer might lose his deposit. Keep your fingers crossed.Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-9206098749321878442008-04-14T09:52:00.002-04:002008-04-14T10:00:00.624-04:00Store Openings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CwgKM3Mj4NmkzL0s-QJngqOZrRIgj7CRbxhRe0vtKcx6Ml7KzfJ8TbiexZzaorB_p52hW3UqiHjMssiqZBK67rh0z07SvZKlo7zlvZF7dkR9JBOOoTQUTMgHRGitK2KYfuX9tL7M6GE/s1600-h/soha1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189100318588032930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CwgKM3Mj4NmkzL0s-QJngqOZrRIgj7CRbxhRe0vtKcx6Ml7KzfJ8TbiexZzaorB_p52hW3UqiHjMssiqZBK67rh0z07SvZKlo7zlvZF7dkR9JBOOoTQUTMgHRGitK2KYfuX9tL7M6GE/s320/soha1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Check out these hot stores, Also featured in New York Magazine as The best of...</div><div><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Soha</span> Style<br />(Photo: Courtesy of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Soha</span> Style)<br />CONTEMPORARY</div><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Soha</span> Style15 W. 116<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> St., <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nr</span>. Fifth Ave. 212-828-3700It’s just a couple of months old, and already the Harlem store—the brainchild of Gwen Wallace and her son, Don—is smartly attuned to the tastes of the neighborhood’s brownstone renovators and new-condo dwellers. An on-site design consultant (call ahead for an appointment) steers buyers toward Philippe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Starck</span> chairs (from $330 to $410), Bernhardt sofas (from $4,824), and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Desiron</span> dining tables ($2,500 to $3,800).<br />ACCESSORIES</div><br /><div>Georgia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tapert</span> Living456 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Broome</span> St., <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">nr</span>. Mercer St.; 212-334-7969Georgia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Tapert</span>’s Soho boutique opened in December, but its fresh, eclectic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">homewares</span> seem ripe for spring. On the high end, you’ll find $9,000 Dorothy Draper screens; on the low end, there’s a set of four linen cocktail napkins ($38) and delicate water glasses with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">handpainted</span> bluebirds ($15 to $18 each).</div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-19420491677185956682008-04-11T07:49:00.004-04:002008-04-11T18:11:47.148-04:00Buying property in today's market...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV3kI3FJ2ckVq4IV4Ue8-iW6LSyLdkBJTafv87BdRxeJHzVx4CU-jM2FTNY_PwttkiF4i9qUkl_KKArmI7fZFc8NNTa7oV9FMkxQWXHfiBzD7nUg25zRxbqg7N-VjlquDx6hwlXvA7Is/s1600-h/high-noon_420.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188112474092013522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV3kI3FJ2ckVq4IV4Ue8-iW6LSyLdkBJTafv87BdRxeJHzVx4CU-jM2FTNY_PwttkiF4i9qUkl_KKArmI7fZFc8NNTa7oV9FMkxQWXHfiBzD7nUg25zRxbqg7N-VjlquDx6hwlXvA7Is/s320/high-noon_420.jpg" border="0" /></a> Tumbleweeds roll by and the street seems empty. It's high noon and two men at 50 paces stand ready for the fire. Arms at their sides, guns on their hips each ready to reach... grab... and shoot. But nothing happens, almost 1230 now and they are still standing.<br /><br /><div>Lately this image is conjured up in my mind when doing a deal. Whether it be the seller and the buyer or the the two brokers facing each other and ready. The pace <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">has</span> changed indeed and now its taking everyone a little longer to pull that trigger.<br /></div><div>Financing, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">proper</span> comps and negotiations are all playing a huge factor. So for you sellers and buyers out there, make your move before the next guy does. Its all in your draw but make it count. <em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Low ball</span> offers</em> and<em> Not willing to counter </em>or work together to reach your number will make this showdown a daily event!</div><br /><br /><div></div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-84226651739917477622008-04-09T17:22:00.004-04:002008-04-09T17:40:16.412-04:007 Questions You Must Ask Before Buying A Condo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LyrY89GETo9CpWJiDz5l9i4-9r1wIJgDZxDIesAkpr2BaoqDU3qgfNIV78paOQRtj7q9WkZPulRR68xHmT5aJRA4siUxApOdRqDMt6j6FCVlRTilqxOK2QG95DwS8k7aEvj_16cRWw8/s1600-h/lemon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187361438930765762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" height="187" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LyrY89GETo9CpWJiDz5l9i4-9r1wIJgDZxDIesAkpr2BaoqDU3qgfNIV78paOQRtj7q9WkZPulRR68xHmT5aJRA4siUxApOdRqDMt6j6FCVlRTilqxOK2QG95DwS8k7aEvj_16cRWw8/s320/lemon.jpg" width="224" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span> came across this list today while doing some research for a great couple who is buying a condo. After the accepted offer we have encountered many little hiccups that are now adding up to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">agita</span>!<br /><div></div><br /><div>So before we can continue I want them to ponder what SMART MONEY POSED: These 7 questions to avoid a sour mess...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>YOU'VE FOUND YOUR DREAM CONDO</strong>, and you're ready to relax . Hold everything. To keep from getting stuck with a lemon, you've got to do some homework. Here are the seven most important questions you need to ask before buying a condo. </div><br /><div><br /><strong>1. "What's the beef?"</strong> Take a look at the minutes of the condo association board meetings to see what the owners have been griping about. If everyone was complaining about the faulty plumbing or the gardener's absence, you know that the complex is having management difficulties. Even if there aren't any complaints, reading the minutes will reveal the sorts of projects that are under way at the complex -- projects the seller may have neglected to mention.<br /><strong>2. "Who's been naughty and who's been nice?"</strong> Find out the delinquency rates of present owners. If people aren't paying their association dues on time, that is either a sign of discontent or an indication that the association might be underfunded.<br /><br /><strong>3. "How much is in the repair fund?"</strong> Ask if the community has done a reserve-fund review in the past five years. Lester <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Giese</span>, the author of The 99 Best Residential & Recreational Communities in America, recommends the following formula: If the complex is one to 10 years old, the reserve fund should have 10% of the cost of replaceable items (roofs, roads, tennis courts, etc.). Between 10 and 20 years old, the repair fund should be at 25% to 30%. At 20 years, that amount should be 50% or above. Residents who brag that they don't pay much in maintenance may be in a complex that either is not being kept up well or is living beyond its means. </div><br /><div><strong>4. "Can you cover me?"</strong> If you look at nothing else, get a copy of the certificate of insurance, which is a summary of the association's policy. Then make sure that the policy has a building-ordinance clause, which means that the insurance will cover the cost of bringing the building up to code if there is any rebuilding to be done. Finally, make sure that you understand exactly what the association policy covers and what you are responsible for. </div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">5. "Does the association present any legal problems?"</span></strong> With a condo, Contact a local real estate lawyer and have him or her go over the bylaws of the association. <strong>Do they make sense?</strong> <strong>Are they consistent with the state laws?</strong> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Giese</span>, the author, once found that the association bylaws of a large garden-style condo complex had been lifted from the books of a high-rise condo, leaving confused tenants with rules about shared hallway space and the correct use of garbage chutes. Benny Kass, a Washington real estate attorney, recommends that you also have your lawyer screen the association at the local courthouse, to see if any owners have filed suit against it. </div><div><br /><strong>6. "Is the complex renter-friendly?"</strong> If the renter population is over 10%, there should be clear rental policies. Keep one thing in mind, though: An association can change its bylaws to prohibit or restrict renting at any time. The more owners who rent, the less chance that will happen. </div><div><br /><strong>7. "Am I my community's keeper?"</strong> Watch out for a condo whose owners manage the place themselves. Although many are operated efficiently, self-management can lead to more hassles for owners -- especially those who live thousands of miles away. If you hook up with a bad manager, you can be sure of this: Your dream condo will keep you up at night.</div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-69095539671111800062008-04-07T18:44:00.003-04:002008-04-07T18:49:25.015-04:00Homes Stolen via ID Theft on the Rise<span style="font-size:130%;">Check this out! And you thought locking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">your</span> door or a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pit bull</span> was good security!- Brian</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flippingfrenzy.com/2008/03/27/homes-stolen-via-id-theft-on-the-rise/" rel="bookmark">Homes Stolen via ID Theft on the Rise</a><br />The FBI calls it the “latest scam on the block,” but for years now we’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ve</span> been warning people and reporting about scam artists who steal your identity and then your home. Now, after years of reporting and writing about this sinister act, the FBI is stepping up its efforts to make homeowners aware of the horrible connection between identity theft and real estate fraud.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1Qlga27ePH_1yGurviAVtQeY93Ifxw0_cSQd-9O3eMg60wst5Ph3dqlCaZVSrR3sL76ZJr8bQyVFjkUG8uhc6OTxgj5o2ca3_VgBaRr8etd5k4q4SF_9LPjEsQ-cvaOW92bXt6vO_Io/s1600-h/FBI_house_stealing_graphic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186638656498416514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1Qlga27ePH_1yGurviAVtQeY93Ifxw0_cSQd-9O3eMg60wst5Ph3dqlCaZVSrR3sL76ZJr8bQyVFjkUG8uhc6OTxgj5o2ca3_VgBaRr8etd5k4q4SF_9LPjEsQ-cvaOW92bXt6vO_Io/s400/FBI_house_stealing_graphic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Full Story<br /><a href="http://www.flippingfrenzy.com/category/california/" target="_top">www.flippingfrenzy.com/category/california/</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OgrulU34Pc8ZQyeFHX7QyCqmXVt9Vk1Yqs_w4mYTJ2bizdquFQ7RzTCN3Lq0GFnSXG2qC-e3gMpTHGJ9Ke95EiutdC1k9DLOuuczRi4MigIl3_8zFddfQGSyqdktz-xcenv5EqGslEo/s1600-h/FBI_house_stealing_graphic.jpg"></a>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-18011846381971541872008-04-05T19:05:00.007-04:002008-04-07T11:41:47.165-04:00Out and about for Open houses? How to use your Mobile Phone and the NY TIMES!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvArbcac16BbjVCEnN5d2CVo0t49Z4i7Rividw4Gg0PnoYW_w2p7-9t9ciLf0J6fsITvcJB7-XOymBvvQVHizFEASQK5xW_EM1oBCqMxRt7RPPuHgxbUOkrkS3DdvjiN5TVE0NVMT63Y/s1600-h/mobilelogo_20.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185902142621596466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" height="105" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvArbcac16BbjVCEnN5d2CVo0t49Z4i7Rividw4Gg0PnoYW_w2p7-9t9ciLf0J6fsITvcJB7-XOymBvvQVHizFEASQK5xW_EM1oBCqMxRt7RPPuHgxbUOkrkS3DdvjiN5TVE0NVMT63Y/s400/mobilelogo_20.gif" width="99" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;">C</span>heck out this magic symbol and trick. the folks at the New York Times have made it even easier and greener when you are on the hunt. If you find yourself lost or having written down the wrong address use this easy way to track down your next home! <div></div><div>From your mobile device: To search for properties directly from your mobile device, go to <a href="http://m.nytimes.com/re">m.nytimes.com/re</a> and enter your property criteria (such as location and price) or find a specific property by listing ID.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>About New York Times Print to Mobile Listings<br /></strong>When you see the New York Times mobile icon in an ad , use your mobile phone to send a text (SMS) message to 698698. The body of the message should contain "re" [space] and the Real Estate ID. For example, a print ad may have the NYTimes Real Estate ID CO12345. Send a text message to 698698 with "re CO12345" (without the quotes, but with the space) as the message.<br />In response you will get a text message from The New York Times with some property details and a link to a mobile Web page containing full information and photos, if available.</div><br /><div><br /><strong>About New York Times Mobile Search</strong><br />From your mobile phone you can go to <a href="http://mobile.nytimes.com/realestate">http://mobile.nytimes.com/realestate</a> (or <a href="http://m.nytimes.com/re">http://m.nytimes.com/re</a> ). From there you can search for a real estate listing, either by typing in the listing ID or by selecting search criteria such as location, price, number of bedrooms or specifying only new listings or listings with open houses. You may receive up to 200 listings at a time, displayed 10 per page. Click "Next" or select a page number to access the next set of listings or click "modify search" to narrow your search criteria and results.</div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-76421460664588170372008-04-04T09:52:00.002-04:002008-04-04T09:56:27.896-04:00What's Sellin...March 13- March 28 2008<br />Average Sales price increased to $2M from $1.3M<br />Median Sales price increased to $1.3M from $935k<br />Sales above $3M increased to 22% of transactions from 8%<br />Sales below $1,000,000 decreased to 41% from 54%<br />Discount from last asking price increased slightly to 2% from 1.4%<br />Discount from original asking price increased to 3% from 2.1%<br />Transactions sold at ask or above increased slightly to 56% from 49%<br />Median number of days on market from last ask price decreased to 42 days from 47 days<br />Active listings on market have increased to 8,984 from 8,650Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-10535382549242780742008-04-03T10:15:00.003-04:002008-04-03T10:19:33.152-04:00Manhattan Market Overview Report 1st Quarter 08<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCYx9bloE0-k41WMicl9S9R3bbkJp6mgSkIIGCagrMxTZBVwC5v2bWqcJ0nisQ2bBCHhIirVdlReiO73JPMsOxYNWSA8_kivsB6ZFlcMnFuMQVOhHK7WCC63onPRN186hoAhv_Gcz5Jw/s1600-h/mmo1q08-cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185023126024862338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCYx9bloE0-k41WMicl9S9R3bbkJp6mgSkIIGCagrMxTZBVwC5v2bWqcJ0nisQ2bBCHhIirVdlReiO73JPMsOxYNWSA8_kivsB6ZFlcMnFuMQVOhHK7WCC63onPRN186hoAhv_Gcz5Jw/s400/mmo1q08-cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>For full report Click here:<br /><a href="http://www.prudentialelliman.com/NYCPhotos/retail_reports/mmo2008q1locked.pdf">http://www.prudentialelliman.com/NYCPhotos/retail_reports/mmo2008q1locked.pdf</a></div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-79484970161320614162008-04-02T12:31:00.004-04:002008-04-02T16:57:44.332-04:00Manhattan Condo, Co-op Sales Decline Most in 18 Years<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8QSAZiLCCcfFpW6rt9gD9QliEAozf8GZJapss1NVpfkscaQDcsrZXZzyhni0MKeo2e5HrBvqc-q_dz8XbHIgJIo1Umie61d51KRsz3Lg0HD3myLZNpERnGIl3I7aDvfymYSJq_DNKx4/s1600-h/s_dollar_bills.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184689935346940498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="173" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8QSAZiLCCcfFpW6rt9gD9QliEAozf8GZJapss1NVpfkscaQDcsrZXZzyhni0MKeo2e5HrBvqc-q_dz8XbHIgJIo1Umie61d51KRsz3Lg0HD3myLZNpERnGIl3I7aDvfymYSJq_DNKx4/s320/s_dollar_bills.jpg" width="238" border="0" /></a>Below is an article that was sent to me by one of my customers. At first I flinched, then I decided to slowly read it and take it in. Yes we are in an odd economical state, but there is opportunity out there.<br /><br />Buyers can really capitalize and sellers are making profits. They might make a real profit of 400K instead of 480K on a property they are selling.<br /><br />If we all decided to cash out our stocks and funds, stuff our money under mattresses and wait for a brighter day it would be much worse. We <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">must</span> control the situation and not let the media control us.<br /><br />In time things will even out, just like the 4 dollar cup of coffee, apartments prices went up dramatically. Cheap money and limited stock furthered this phenomenon. But just because things have slowed or tipped down, it doesn't mean Starbucks will start selling their cup of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">joe</span> for 1 buck instead of 4.<br /><br />I say be educated, but be realistic. Its a recession, we are in one but historically 8 months is what we need to wait it out. GIVE IT SOME TIME. Time will tell and things will balance out.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">By Sharon L. Lynch </span><span style="font-size:78%;">April 2 (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bloomberg</span>)</span><br />Manhattan apartment sales plunged the most in 18 years in the first quarter as buyers faced the prospect of a recession and job cuts at Wall Street securities firms.<br />Sales fell 34 percent from a year earlier and inventory rose 4.6 percent to 6,194 units, New York-based real estate appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. and broker Prudential Douglas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Elliman</span> Real Estate said in a report today. The median price of a Manhattan co-operative apartment or condominium increased 13.2 percent to a record $945,000.<br />``If it continues along this pattern, we're in a period of transition to a weaker market,'' Miller Samuel President Jonathan Miller said in an interview. ``You typically see a slowdown in sales activity precede a slowdown in pricing.''<br />Financial companies have cut at least 34,000 jobs in the past nine months as losses and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">writedowns</span> related to mortgage- backed securities climbed to at least $230 billion. Wall Street drives Manhattan real estate, with the median apartment price roughly tracking bonuses paid by investment banks since 1997, Miller said.<br />``There are a lot of buyers out there,'' said Prudential Douglas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Elliman</span> Chief Executive Officer Dottie Herman.<br />``It's not that they're not looking, but there is no sense of urgency,'' she said. ``If you continue to see inventory rise, that would be a sign that you are going to see a price dip.''<br />Prices Rise<br />Until now, Manhattan has avoided the national housing slump. Last year, the U.S. saw the first drop in existing home prices since the Great Depression, while Manhattan apartment prices rose 3.6 percent, according to Miller Samuel.<br />Gains continued in the first quarter, according to today's broker reports. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Corcoran</span> Group said the median for condos and co-ops rose 9 percent to $917,000. Terra Holdings <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">LLC</span>, which owns brokers Brown Harris Stevens and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Halstead</span> Property <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">LLC</span>, said the median climbed 13 percent to $855,000. The numbers vary in part because each broker includes some of its own sales that have yet to show up in the city's public records database.<br />About 30 percent of all first-quarter closings were for apartments in new developments that went into contract before turmoil hit the credit market, said Gregory <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Heym</span>, chief economist for Terra Holdings.<br />``They are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">pre</span>-credit crisis, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">pre</span>-Wall Street worries, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">pre</span>- new mortgage standards,'' he said in an interview. ``You see a delay in impact in these numbers.''<br />`Emboldened' Buyers<br />Areas where buyers are worried about future price appreciation will be the first to slip, particularly neighborhoods that saw quicker-than-average price growth in recent years, said Pam <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Liebman</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Corcoran's</span> chief executive officer. She declined to be specific. Harlem in Manhattan and sections of Brooklyn including Dumbo, short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, are possible locations.<br />Brokers are waiting for any fallout from job losses on Wall Street or from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">JPMorgan</span> Chase & Co.'s takeover of Bear <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Stearns</span> Cos.<br />``What we are seeing now is buyers who are emboldened to be more aggressive in their offers,'' <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Liebman</span> said. ``They don't hesitate to bid lower and sellers now will have to decide whether or not they want to lower their prices.''<br />Apartments are already taking longer to sell. The average time spent on the market rose 12 percent to 146 days, according to Miller Samuel.<br />Luxury Gains<br />In Brooklyn, New York's most populous borough, the median price fell 2 percent to $549,000 last quarter, according to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Corcoran</span> and real estate appraiser Mitchell, Maxwell & Jackson Inc. Both Manhattan-based companies are closely held.<br />The average price per square foot of a Manhattan co-op rose 16 percent to $1,128 for the quarter, Miller said. For condos, the price per square foot gained 21 percent to $1,416. Co-ops make up more than two-thirds of Manhattan apartments. Residents of them buy shares in a corporation that owns the building, rather than having a deed to the property itself.<br />On the East Side, the greatest price appreciation was in apartments with at least four bedrooms, with the average rising 53 percent to $13.6 million, according to Brown Harris Stevens. On the West Side, three-bedroom apartments gained 90 percent to an average of just under $5 million.<br />Lofts Fall<br />Prices on Fifth Avenue jumped 63 percent in the quarter to a median of $6.5 million, and on Park Avenue the median jumped 23 percent to $3.3 million. The median price of lofts fell 12 percent to almost $1.45 million, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Corcoran</span> said.<br />The luxury market also saw big increases, largely due to multimillion dollar condominium sales at the recently converted Plaza, and at architect Robert A.M. Stern's 15 Central Park West.<br />The median price of a luxury apartment rose 46 percent to almost $5 million, Miller Samuel said. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Corcoran's</span> estimate was an increase of 18 percent to $4.4 million. Both companies consider apartments of more than $2.8 million as luxury.<br />``There is no question 2007 was the record year for real estate in New York City,'' <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Liebman</span> said. ``I don't think any of us will be surprised if 2008 doesn't hold up in comparison.''<br />To contact the reporter on this story: Sharon L. Lynch in New York at <a href="mailto:sllynch@bloomberg.net">sllynch@bloomberg.net</a><br />Last Updated: April 2, 2008 10:59 EDTTestimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-73965509781450335812008-04-01T21:13:00.000-04:002008-04-01T21:17:54.130-04:00Help is on the way???<embed src="http://www.cbs.com/thunder/swf/rcpHolderCbs-prod.swf" width="370" height="361"allowFullScreen="true" FlashVars="link=http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3984602n&releaseURL=http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=L_Ky6jabHvyFVp8pPZ2EK9I_d24s5IYV&partner=newsembed&autoPlayVid=false&prevImg=http://thumbnails.cbsig.net/CBS_Production_News/668/222/evening_mason0331_480x360.jpg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" />Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-49443262819095172552008-03-31T20:23:00.002-04:002008-03-31T20:29:41.905-04:00What do those brokers do for that commission?In a recent article in the NY TIMES, the topic of commissions came up. Now I wont be planting flowers, but going the extra mile is always required with any sale, be it 300K or 30 Million.<br />Granted the 300K apartments tend to need more work!<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">By </span><a title="More Articles by Hope Reeves" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/hope_reeves/index.html?inline=nyt-per"><span style="font-size:78%;">HOPE REEVES</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Published: March 30, 2008<br /></span>IN any real estate market, the question is asked, in voices both low and loud: What exactly do those brokers do for their 6 percent commission?<br />The wondering seems especially relevant now, when both buyers and sellers are tense, not knowing if prices will continue their upward move or if they are headed down.<br />On a typical sale, the broker gets 6 percent of the sales price, with 50 to 75 percent of this amount going to the broker or being shared with the broker and the company representing the buyer. The remaining 25 to 50 percent goes to the company representing the seller.<br />The broker’s part of the commission isn’t just gravy; it is used to cover some of the selling expenses. “Our agents pay for things a lot,” said Pamela Liebman, president of the Corcoran Group. “Being an agent is really running your own business, and if you’re not willing to invest money yourself, you’re probably in the wrong business.”<br /><br />Full article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/realestate/30cov.html?_r=1&oref=slogin">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/realestate/30cov.html?_r=1&oref=slogin</a>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-78449893250593298192008-03-28T09:50:00.007-04:002008-03-28T10:11:44.984-04:00"Can I finace my closing costs?"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYT6mebtx2a44sfQKZ8tM8h_JRpPbGDybBTC4z1SXNaP8N75E4V-Xo9HBE79J65I9PqeCehR3AjZNIkDwUFIMrkEaqV7xo87-JbuzaIdjzjrwqW7zGrgSBz4N1s4n2D66nPMY0at9m1o/s1600-h/cost.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182792796752689698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="173" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYT6mebtx2a44sfQKZ8tM8h_JRpPbGDybBTC4z1SXNaP8N75E4V-Xo9HBE79J65I9PqeCehR3AjZNIkDwUFIMrkEaqV7xo87-JbuzaIdjzjrwqW7zGrgSBz4N1s4n2D66nPMY0at9m1o/s320/cost.bmp" width="182" border="0" /></a>Why not? Well not so easy any more. Below are a few facts and tips on this topic. make sure you work closely with a mortgage broker and get this down as soon as possible. <a title="Closing costs" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Closing_costs&redirect=no">Closing costs</a><br /><br />Can I do this on....New Developments, SURE! Older Condos Why Not?, Well as long as its a seller's concession. Estate Sales? Hmmm can get tricky...and Coops- Just pay it up front!<br /><br />Rolling the closing costs into the loan amount on your refinancing isn't a bad thing -- as long as that is your intention. Mortgage lenders that advertise no closing costs really mean no cash paid by the homeowner at closing, other than money from the proceeds of the loan.<br /><br />If you don't plan on staying in the house very long, then you really need to consider these costs when you decide whether refinancing makes sense. If you add $3,000 in closing costs to a loan balance of $100,000 and your monthly payment goes down by $50 a month, you need to stay in the house for about five years to recoup your closing costs.<br /><br />As you'd expect, and shown in the example below, the monthly payment is higher when you finance the closing costs. So it will take you that much longer to recoup the closing costs. The other side of the coin is that you didn't have to come up with the $3,000 at closing. Assuming you have the money to pay closing costs, the $3,000 can stay invested earning you a return. Include the income from that investment in the analysis, and the difference in payback between the two approaches lessens.<br /><br />Check out the <a class="body-link" href="http://www.fhalibrary.com/other_fha_issues/fha_refinances/default.asp" target="_blank">FHA Library</a>. Full Smart Money Article: <a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/home/buying/?story=closing">http://www.smartmoney.com/home/buying/?story=closing</a><br />MORE ON PERSONAL FINANCE FROM SMARTMONEY.COM<br /><a class="hpNews" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18px" href="http://www.smartmoney.com/tax/tips/index.cfm?story=taxtip-11&cid=1012">Tax Breaks on Home Sales</a><br /><a class="hpNews" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18px" href="http://www.smartmoney.com/tax/tips/index.cfm?story=taxtip-10&cid=1012">Borrowing From Uncle Sam</a>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-36238624715104069212008-03-27T13:02:00.003-04:002008-03-27T13:14:04.466-04:00PRICES MOVE!!!! Get out your wallets!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvfqaBRfp1zFHKnrVEPFNcoHnM_AbjEIRVmAo-NTLyM3Ualh0r81Tzy2n6z1Abf11Btpc0tN30mOblZ5KZdR2YMZ8BkxogihFY8P_a0OpverK1xX1b3OSXXW7vpkzAvvWHmXOEjNpvMQ/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182470678500456978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px" height="315" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvfqaBRfp1zFHKnrVEPFNcoHnM_AbjEIRVmAo-NTLyM3Ualh0r81Tzy2n6z1Abf11Btpc0tN30mOblZ5KZdR2YMZ8BkxogihFY8P_a0OpverK1xX1b3OSXXW7vpkzAvvWHmXOEjNpvMQ/s400/untitled.bmp" width="265" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">With</span> all that is going on in the WORLD around us, prices in Manhattan aren't plummeting but most definitely adjusting to the market!<br /><div></div><br /><div>Recently apartments have shifted from the over million dollar mark to just under. Why the change? While it is a buyers market sellers are also looking to buy and want to secure a deal so they can also capitalize on this market. Yes there are those sellers who are unreal in their hopes but owners are expecting less and ready to move their homes.</div><br /><div></div><div>Recently involved on both sides as a buyers broke and a seller's representative deals are out there and if you have the means go out and buy!</div><br /><div>New developments are offering incentives with transfer taxes and prices are no longer fixed. 100-200K reductions in offering price to accepted allow the savvy buyer to stretch their expectations and secure something bigger and better than they expected.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-23042434032321316002008-03-25T09:58:00.003-04:002008-03-25T10:08:36.612-04:00Who Asked You?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBmpqlw7O38GAZ7IaUgomAAn3cacmpcCgAZPqAhFjRNSBmuwaRJQj9vHF2aD402u6sB4VlKHabfS-9g4r2iyLUZjxb76sEC_Z0lnKCfgJYIcjzZa8f94k1Fn0Zw5A7iDE4ucq_zAHxQU/s1600-h/23cov-600b1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181680834014722562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBmpqlw7O38GAZ7IaUgomAAn3cacmpcCgAZPqAhFjRNSBmuwaRJQj9vHF2aD402u6sB4VlKHabfS-9g4r2iyLUZjxb76sEC_Z0lnKCfgJYIcjzZa8f94k1Fn0Zw5A7iDE4ucq_zAHxQU/s400/23cov-600b1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOhT9HiCVJ4dis2GBDgre8Y7ZWgPFQ8Tk0ecbPbwk-4-PQ50zhqX91FnGqeTExZNPf5LtGLUh4wAiDKuROYV7M5AjdOcPpVZKy28IbyVk9qolADf817-33X9Xk3q_LVOmRP0IJYIjhC4/s1600-h/23cov-600b1.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">By TERI KARUSH ROGERS<br />Published: March 23, 2008<br /></span>THERE are many sentences that a potential buyer can utter to unnerve a broker: “I have three Doberman pinschers.” “My uncle is a divorce lawyer, and he will represent us.” “The money is in <a title="" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/great-homes-and-destinations/destinations/europe/index.html?inline=nyt-geo">Europe</a>.” And, at an open house: “May I use the bathroom?” </div><div> </div><div>Then there is this question, often deployed after an offer has been accepted: “Do you mind if I bring my (decorator/mother/friend/boss/feng shui expert/rabbi) to take a look?”<br />Yes, your broker minds. A lot.<br /></div><div>“It’s the kiss of death,” said Michele Conte, the sales director at the Centurion, a 48-unit condominium at 33 West 56th Street. “Brokers fear second opinions because, human beings being what they are, people always want to justify why someone asked them to come in. So the first thing they do is look for something wrong. And they also tend to judge by their own standards. One man’s meat is another man’s poison in real estate, big time.”<br />Unfortunately for those selling houses or apartments, a slowing real estate market combined with recessionary fears is prompting a resurgence in outside counseling.<br />“There was no time 18 months or two years ago to have mom and dad take a look,” said Jessica Levy Buchman, a vice president of the Corcoran Group who works at the office in Park Slope, <a title="Find Real Estate listings and community news for Brooklyn" href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/classifieds/realestate/locations/newyork/newyorkcity/brooklyn/?inline=nyt-geo">Brooklyn</a>. “It was as if you had to put up or shut up, no matter what your parents or friends thought. Now, the market is a little bit more patient — we don’t have two, three or four backup offers like we used to — and it’s easier for buyers to sign another lease or take their time. Buyers need more time, and sellers are allowing the time and extra showings.”<br />A similar dynamic is unfolding at many new condominiums where “conversion rates” — the number of would-be buyers it takes to generate a single sale — have multiplied.<br />“In a hot market it was 1 for 1,” said David L. Kest, the sales director at 45 John Street, an 84-unit condominium in the financial district, where sales began last summer. “Today, a good range would be for every 7 to 10 buyers, you sell an apartment.”<br />Mr. Kest would not give 45 John Street’s conversion rate, but he did say this: “People are revisiting sites more frequently than ever before, as they become more cautious and conservative about their decision. They bring a second or third or fourth set of eyes.”<br />Brokers estimate that as many as a quarter of all buyers solicit third-party views and that 10 to 25 percent of the deals fall apart as a result. “Their job is to point out things you haven’t noticed yet, things that on a first-round presentation a client wouldn’t really notice to begin with,” said Preston Proler, a sales representative at the Setai, a 167-unit condominium building at 40 Broad Street in the financial district. “So more issues do arise — like whether there’s something a little bit wrong with the neighborhood, or the elevator is going to make too much noise next to your apartment, or is the lobby so frequently used that it will be loud, or is the roof going to be too crowded.”<br />Those most likely to seek outside advice are first-time buyers. Neophytes often look to their parents, who may be helping out financially.</div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-32784450477329864052008-03-20T13:26:00.002-04:002008-03-20T13:30:13.634-04:00Billions Freed Up For Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzahc6OdDjVs9KFnOM43DTUpo_wzrsn9iJk2wliYsy3JRL-NiuXx1PPaRtVpcwhGWm8Bgi1WwR80MuTjCgExiB16slrYRh7q5XejDZ5cBA4yfUlNstdVtzVC7I4TQ2baaccRhwBbcVU88/s1600-h/bernanke.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179877364362230242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" height="241" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzahc6OdDjVs9KFnOM43DTUpo_wzrsn9iJk2wliYsy3JRL-NiuXx1PPaRtVpcwhGWm8Bgi1WwR80MuTjCgExiB16slrYRh7q5XejDZ5cBA4yfUlNstdVtzVC7I4TQ2baaccRhwBbcVU88/s400/bernanke.jpg" width="209" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">CBS News Timeline: Credit Crunch </span><div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">WASHINGTON (AP)</span> ― The government announced Wednesday that it is freeing up billions of dollars at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, money that would be used to help homeowners refinance mortgages on the brink of default. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, which oversees the government-sponsored companies, unveiled a plan to ease mandatory capital requirements now in place. It said the plan is expected to result in an immediate infusion of up to $200 billion into the market for mortgage-backed securities. The mandatory cash cushion for Fannie and Freddie - now nearly $20 billion for the two - will be reduced by a third under the new deal. The freed-up money will go toward buying mortgages of struggling homeowners to enable them to refinance into more affordable loans.<br />(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/elements/2007/10/15/in_depth_business/timeline3368816.shtml">http://www.cbsnews.com/elements/2007/10/15/in_depth_business/timeline3368816.shtml</a></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-63429171794866023912008-03-19T09:55:00.003-04:002008-03-19T09:59:31.625-04:00The report is in...<span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p03f5BPhMuYItueyxrcAokEuJCgSfsbpWoBjPNeGmpC2nmY9cS5WSBYTbAUO38ACwLk_-UaTHOni_TfsGiSBDnF8YQP5r15USishnHy1kF05NdiQemvUvtykBELRpWf3T7MeY3URmfg/s1600-h/mmr07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179451751805364994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_p03f5BPhMuYItueyxrcAokEuJCgSfsbpWoBjPNeGmpC2nmY9cS5WSBYTbAUO38ACwLk_-UaTHOni_TfsGiSBDnF8YQP5r15USishnHy1kF05NdiQemvUvtykBELRpWf3T7MeY3URmfg/s400/mmr07.jpg" border="0" /></a>T</span>he Manhattan Market Report - A 10-Year Sales Trend Analysis of Manhattan Co-op and Condominium Apartments and The Manhattan Townhouse Report A 10-Year Sales Trend Analysis of Manhattan Townhouses.<br /><br />All the reports have been posted on prudentialelliman.com in the market report area as well as on UPDATE in the Marketing area in the Market Report Folder.<br /><br />You can download and email the PDF file or send a link to our external site - <a href="http://mail.elliman.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.prudentialelliman.com/MainSite/MarketReports/ReportsMenu.aspx" target="_blank">http://mail.elliman.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.prudentialelliman.com/MainSite/MarketReports/ReportsMenu.aspx</a> - please do not print out the report in it's entirety - save a tree:-)Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-32222518384507461142008-03-17T10:04:00.003-04:002008-03-17T10:16:48.280-04:00Things that make you go hmmmmmm?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96XX7QAC00nENWIok96IAAVLQdEJ9jxQ1KExr-egzobvYUYJbvgd8ZUIqHOwJm3-XWVkOKUVnuGThiIO0PX7BB9Jpu1PGOGrdhvFORcDxmDPWm0jgUI9BbeVBubdJ-yQroJUpo83Jors/s1600-h/boy-scratching-head-portrait-~-pr26007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178714086877309682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="224" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96XX7QAC00nENWIok96IAAVLQdEJ9jxQ1KExr-egzobvYUYJbvgd8ZUIqHOwJm3-XWVkOKUVnuGThiIO0PX7BB9Jpu1PGOGrdhvFORcDxmDPWm0jgUI9BbeVBubdJ-yQroJUpo83Jors/s320/boy-scratching-head-portrait-~-pr26007.jpg" width="155" border="0" /></a><em>With the sale just announced of Bear Sterns for $2/share after it stood at $30/share on Friday to JP Morgan and all the other financial problems in Wall Street, you may wonder what is the outlook for higher end Manhattan property? </em><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Will this crisis, and the expected job losses impact the Manhattan real estate market? Let me know your thoughts!!</em><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">By David Ellis and Tami Luhby, CNNMoney.com staff writers<br />Last Updated: March 17, 2008: 4:56 AM EDT</span><br /></div><div>NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- JPMorgan Chase & Co. said Sunday that it would acquire troubled Wall Street firm Bear Stearns for a mere fraction of what it was once worth amid deepening fears about further erosion of the world's financial markets.<br />The rock-bottom price left investors feeling queasy. Asian markets tumbled, with Japan's benchmark Nikkei index finishing Monday's session nearly 4% lower. U.S. stock futures plunged, indicating a miserable start for Wall Street.<br />The all-stock deal values Bear Stearns at $236 million, or just $2 a share. The company's stock had closed at $30 on Friday, down a staggering 47% for the day.<br />Regulators support the deal and the Federal Reserve provided $30 billion in funding: With the global credit crisis worsening, the Fed has been taking dramatic action to help banks and prevent widespread panic.<br />Over the past three days, roughly 200 JPMorgan staffers were working on the deal, assessing the strengths of Bear Stearns' different businesses and its exposure to toxic mortgage securities, JPMorgan executives said during a conference call held Sunday night.<br />They noted that the offering price, which comes at a steep discount to Bear Stearns book value price of $84 per share, was to provide a cushion to protect JPMorgan in turbulent times and would provide the company "margin for error."<br />The fire-sale price raises questions about the value of other investment banks.<br />"A $2 per share price will send a shudder through every investment bank investor in the world," said James Ellman, head of San Francisco-based Seacliff Capital, a hedge fund specializing in financial services. "Many will say that stand-alone investment banks' days are numbered."<br />That could spell trouble for firms such as Lehman Brothers and Jefferies Group, which, like Bear Stearns, don't have large asset or wealth-management businesses for support. These divisions are helping prop up firms such as Morgan Stanley during these tough times on Wall Street.<br />Bear Stearns was on the brink of financial collapse Friday when JPMorgan (<a href="http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=JPM&source=story_quote_link">JPM</a>, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/snapshots/1871.html?source=story_f500_link">Fortune 500</a>) and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said they would provide the brokerage a short-term loan. Bear was dealing with a classic run-on-the-bank: The firm's short-term creditors refused to lend the firm any more money and simultaneously demanded repayment of outstanding debt. </div><br /><div><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/16/news/companies/jpmorgan_bear_stearns/index.htm?postversion=2008031619"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/16/news/companies/jpmorgan_bear_stearns/index.htm?postversion=2008031619</span></a></div>Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-28571608202842882722008-03-14T10:43:00.000-04:002008-03-14T10:44:20.157-04:00What's Sellin...This Week!Average Sales price decreased to $1.3M from $1.9M<br /> Median Sales price holding close to $1M at $935k<br /> Sales below $1,000,000 hold strong at 54%<br /> Discount from last asking price slightly increased to 1.4% from -.5%<br /> Discount from original asking price decreased to 2.1% from 2.7%<br /> Transactions sold at ask or above increased slightly to 49% from 47%<br /> Median number of days on market from last ask price decreased to 47 days from 55 days<br /> Active listings on market have decreased to 8,650 from 8,470Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-55810622511041611362008-03-13T10:09:00.004-04:002008-03-13T10:39:35.452-04:00Diamond in the rough...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ80PUxHepqUUGYT26lCq_mmqc_m-EyNWAda_Lp49tjygktbirKcw0rUNtu6AEra7633qxASqqDxQSa7Xcxs9S4R5tZ0JGBxUaRfCPEhJGKoE9msDJ4TFP1CJE_27hY3PYbTItv_4D2Vw/s1600-h/BYV_diamond_in_the_rough.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177235209378212578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="194" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ80PUxHepqUUGYT26lCq_mmqc_m-EyNWAda_Lp49tjygktbirKcw0rUNtu6AEra7633qxASqqDxQSa7Xcxs9S4R5tZ0JGBxUaRfCPEhJGKoE9msDJ4TFP1CJE_27hY3PYbTItv_4D2Vw/s320/BYV_diamond_in_the_rough.jpg" width="229" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span>unday afternoon I was out with a buyer taking a look at two bedrooms south of 23rd street on the east and west side. After a myriad of properties we ended up just east of union square at a coop. A no fuss no thrills building but nice and presentable. Good location etc etc.<br /><br />We walked in and the 1300sq ft apartment. This place was bustling with people. It was bright and had an interesting layout, but in the original condition since....the late 70s early 80's? It was an estate sale, blue carpeting, fogged windows peeling paint, old and awkward baths but it had two things going for it. <strong>PRICE and POTENTIAL.</strong><br /><br /><br />We walked out and were waiting with a couple and their daughter for the elevator. " I say we low ball em, 750...you offer 755" she said. " 1.2 for that? are they crazy?" I smiled and thought the 1.2 number was a hop but that they would take less.<br /><br /><br />After we left the wheels began to spin and both the buyer and I thought this was a great opportunity and were ready to move. His wife came to see it and the potential was agreed upon. We called the next morning to set up an appointment for a contractor. I waited patiently for the call back.<br /><br /><br />I called again. I was told I could go at the requested time and the key would be with the doorman.<br /><br /><br />We were set, armed with a bid and a contractor's appraisal we were meeting then submitting the offer. two hours later I got a call saying, we have an accepted offer so don't bother showing it tomorrow.<br /><br /><br />Unreal, an estate condition apt for 1.2 can sell in 24 hours while there are so many nicely done apartments just sitting out there. I guess the moral of the story is people would rather pay for nothing, than pay for someones time and tastes.Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075862573684126765.post-54088142062615974372008-03-13T07:56:00.000-04:002008-03-13T07:57:45.633-04:00Spending down debt: The best way to pay depends on your goals<span style="font-size:78%;">by </span><a href="http://www.walletpop.com/bloggers/amey-stone/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Amey Stone</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Mar 13th 2008 @ 10:30AM</span><br />This is part of our series on strategies you can adopt to free <a href="http://money.aol.com/creditdebt/debt/paying-down-your-debt">yourself from burdensome debt</a>.<br />There is no doubt that the hardest part about getting out of debt is finding the extra cash to do it with. Most of our posts here on WalletPop deal with different shades of that perplexing question -- how to generate extra income, spend less money, find the cheapest credit cards -- all towards the goal of reducing your punishing levels of debt.<br />But there is another, not quite so hard question about getting out of debt that we've only scratched the surface of so far on WalletPop. That is, once you've unlocked that extra cash and are in a position to start actually getting out of debt, what is the best way to pay it off?<br />Simple answer: That depends on your goals. In this series we list common reasons people want to reduce their debt load and the best strategy for that goal.<br />The two main techniques for spending down debt, our blogger Lita Epstein has come up with are the 'Snowball Effect' and the 'Round Robin.' <a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2008/03/15/spending-down-debt-the-snowball-effect/">The snowball effect</a> is best for people who are getting eaten alive by high interest charges on their credit card balances. The plan there is to simply pay off your high interest credit cards first.<br />Things get more interesting with the round robin plan. That technique is best for people who are anticipating needing a large loan in the near future and want to improve their credit score in a hurry. <a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2008/03/15/spending-down-debt-use-the-round-robin-plan/">The round robin technique</a> advises you to pay off a chunk of each credit card in consecutive months until the balance on multiple cards (assuming you have them) is a small percentage of your total credit limit. That's a great way to raise your credit score, Epstein advises.<br />From those two basic methods, we've come up Wit some other situations that call for different debt-elimination techniques.<br />- You want to <a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2008/03/14/spending-down-debt-debts-to-friends-or-family/">repair relations with the friends and family members</a> you've borrowed money from.<br />- You are <a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2008/03/13/spending-down-debt-you-are-afraid-of-losing-your-home/">afraid of losing your home</a>.<br />- You are <a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2008/03/14/spending-down-debt-start-retirement-with-a-clean-slate/">close to retirement</a> and don't want to leave your job with a heavy debt burden.<br />- You just got a<a href="http://www.walletpop.com/2008/03/16/spending-down-debt-what-to-do-with-a-one-time-windfall/"> big windfall</a> and have a one-time chance to get out of debt.<br />Any of these fit your situation? Read on through the posts in this package. Do you have any additional questions for our credit and debt experts? <a href="http://ask@walletpop.com/">Write to us</a> at WalletPop and we'll do our best to help you come up with a solution.Testimonialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617680078966929224noreply@blogger.com0